Controversial Anzac Park project under scrutiny as Bundaberg council transparency issues linger

The controversial demolition of the Anzac Park memorial pool continues to haunt the council, with reports the next step of the project remains under wraps tinged by criticism of the previous ‘inadequate’ public consultation.

The controversial demolition of the Anzac Park memorial pool continues to haunt the council, with reports the next step of the project remains under wraps tinged by criticism of the previous ‘inadequate’ public consultation.

The controversial demolition of the Anzac Park memorial pool continues to haunt the council, with reports the next step of the project remains under wraps for now tinged by community criticism over the previous “inadequate” public consultation.

On Wednesday, December 20 the Bundaberg Council shared the news via Bundaberg Now that the memorial curation was underway for the redevelopment of the park, following an “extensive community consultation process”.

Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd were officially endorsed under a specialised supplier arrangement by the Bundaberg Council during its December general meeting the day before, on December 19.

The redevelopment follows the controversial demolition of the historic Anzac Pool, a memorial site whose ill-fated centenary celebrations and heritage listing was quashed by the council.

A press release announcing Niche’s engagement said it would represent a continuation of the work which began as early as August 2022, when Niche was “appointed to do research for and curation of ANZAC Memorials and Commemorative Artworks”.

Work began on the demolition of Anzac Pool in September 2022, despite opposition from community members amid claims of a lack of consultation.

“During the consultation process Niche developed an extensive and detailed knowledge of military history across the region, including the stories of individual service personnel,” Mayor Jack Dempsey said in the December media release.

“This will ensure a consistent vision and theme throughout the entire process and see Niche play a critical role in the ongoing consultation and management of the multiple stakeholder groups throughout the remainder of the project.”

But what that vision is still remains shrouded in mystery for the wider public.

In response to questions about the consultation process, a Niche spokesman said the council had requested the organisation remain hush-hush about the process until the New Year.

Principal Heritage officer for Niche Dr Kevin Rains claimed the organisation was still not officially on board with the project.

“I would be happy to discuss the Anzac Park project consultation and our findings but (the) council has requested that this be in the new year when the scope and timeline of the next stage have been determined,” Principal Heritage officer for Niche Dr Kevin Rains said.

“Niche has also not been officially engaged yet so I would feel more comfortable discussing things when that occurs.”

Angela Lathouras of the Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group said the consultation work undertaken by Niche was in depth and respectful, but the council’s own “inadequate” transparency on the demolition had left a mark.

The level of engagement undertaken by Niche remained unclear, with the company unable to share the report generated and the council stating they would not be able to share the report until the new year due to privacy concerns.

Angela Lathouras from Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group was complimentary of the consultation process undertaken by Niche and the depth of engagement the heritage group took to working with the community.

She hoped to see a future memorial which has a capacity for longevity, and also incorporates an aspect of thanks and recognition for modern Anzac’s.

But events across the past year had left a mark.

She said the council had overstated the level of public engagement they had undertaken taken prior to the pool’s controversial demolition.

“We know for certain that (they) said there was a lot of consultation about the demolition of Anzac Pool which was totally inadequate,” she said.

“It would be reasonable to say that a lot of people would feel that one of the hallmarks of the current council and the way it is managed by the CEO lacks a lot of transparency and openness.”